Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery in Scottsdale with Dr. Victoria Aimé begins with evaluating your waist, hips, buttocks, overall proportions, and available donor fat to plan both the areas of liposuction and the amount of fat transfer based on your goals.
A Brazilian Butt Lift combines liposuction with fat transfer, so planning involves both the areas from which fat is removed and the changes you would like to make to your waist, hips, and buttocks. Some patients are primarily interested in improving their overall proportions and waist-to-hip contour, while others would also like to add volume to the buttocks or improve hip dips and differences between the two sides.
During your consultation, your overall proportions, buttock and hip shape, skin quality, areas available for liposuction, amount of donor fat, and goals are evaluated together. Donor areas may include the abdomen, waist, back, thighs, arms, or a combination of areas. Liposuction of these areas is an important part of the overall contour and also determines how much usable fat is available for transfer.
Fat is soft and does not have a defined shape, so a BBL cannot create a predetermined size or precisely controlled buttock shape. The amount of volume that can be added also depends on how much donor fat is available, how much fat can be safely transferred, and how much of the transferred fat ultimately survives. A BBL can therefore range from a relatively subtle change in contour to a more noticeable increase in volume depending on your starting anatomy and goals.
The surgical plan considers liposuction and fat transfer together rather than treating them as separate procedures. The consultation includes a discussion of which areas should be reduced, the amount of donor fat available, the degree of volume change you would like, what can realistically be achieved, and how fat survival may affect the final result.
What you need to know
Every procedure and treatment we offer is thoughtfully designed to meet your unique goals, lifestyle, and anatomy. Below, you’ll find key details about what to expect—from how the procedure works to recovery guidance and ideal candidacy—so you can feel informed, confident, and empowered at every step of your journey.
An overview of the procedure
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Every patient heals at a different pace, but recovery generally follows a predictable progression. The timeline below provides a guide to what you may expect during the early healing period and as you gradually return to normal activities.
Day of Procedure
You’ll typically go home the same day, wearing your compression garment and with instructions to begin using your BBL pillow immediately when sitting. Expect to feel very swollen, sore, and bruised, especially in the liposuction areas. Your buttocks and hips will appear larger than the final expected result—this is normal and reflects both added fat volume and post-surgical swelling.
Days 1-3
Swelling and bruising will intensify during the first 72 hours. It’s common to see swelling all the way down to the ankles and feet, even if liposuction wasn’t performed on the legs. You’ll begin gentle walking, wear your compression garment and socks, and change your dressings. No sitting or lying directly on your buttocks or hips. Most patients can shower within 1–2 days. Stick to a high-protein diet to support healing and fat graft survival.
Weeks 1-2
You’ll remain sore but more mobile. Continue wearing your compression garment full-time and using your BBL pillow religiously when sitting. Swelling will still be significant, but you may begin noticing a slight reduction. Most patients can resume basic daily activities and desk work during this time (with proper sitting technique or standing). Avoid any lifting, straining, or stretching movements that engage the glutes or hips.
Weeks 2-4
Swelling begins to visibly decrease, especially around the waist, back, and thighs. No sitting or lying directly on your buttocks or hips yet. Compression may be worn less depending on your healing. You may begin light walking for fitness, but avoid squats, bouncing, or impact exercises that put pressure on the grafted areas. You’ll likely begin feeling more “normal” but still have residual swelling and tightness.
Weeks 4-6
Most patients feel significantly better and more mobile. Swelling continues to drop. You may begin moderate, low-impact workouts as long as they don’t involve direct pressure on the fat grafts (no squats, glute bridges, or jogging). You’ll still be using your BBL pillow when sitting until you reach 6 full weeks post-op. Compression can be tapered based on swelling and comfort.
After Week 6
You may now begin sitting and lying on your buttocks without the pillow, but it’s still wise to ease into it. The major drop in swelling typically occurs by week 6, with a second wave of improvement happening between weeks 6 and 12. Final shape and fat retention will continue to refine over the next few months. Swelling may continue to improve subtly up to 6 months, with minor changes up to 12 months that may only be noticeable to you.
"Dr Aime’ is amazing! I would go to her over and over again and refer her to anybody and everybody I know and love. She has the best bedside manner, the sweetest heart, and her work is impeccable. I am extremely happy with my results. She takes her time with the surgery and makes everybody feel like they are her only patient. Her work really is the definition of perfection."
“I recently underwent a submentoplasty procedure performed by the incredibly talented plastic surgeon, Dr Aimé. My decision to have submentoplasty was not taken lightly and Dr Aimé made sure to thoroughly explain the entire procedure to me during our consultation.”
The total cost of surgery varies based on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure, operating time, anesthesia requirements, and the surgical facility used.
Our consultation fee is $150 and includes a comprehensive evaluation, surgical planning discussion, and personalized recommendations.
Surgical quotes are valid for 90 days from the date they are provided. To secure pricing, the procedure must be booked within this time frame; the surgical date itself may be scheduled beyond 90 days, based on availability and patient preference.
A $500 surgical reservation fee is due at the time of booking and is applied toward your total surgical cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve gathered answers to some of the most common questions our patients ask about this procedure. Whether you’re just starting your research or preparing for surgery, this section is here to help you feel informed and confident every step of the way.
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Learn about related procedures
Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty in Scottsdale with Dr. Victoria Aimé begins with evaluating your anatomy, areas of excess or asymmetric tissue, physical symptoms, and goals to determine which areas should be addressed and how much tissue should be removed.
Thigh Lift
Thigh lift surgery in Scottsdale with Dr. Victoria Aimé begins with evaluating where excess skin and fat are located along your thighs to plan liposuction, skin removal, and the length and location of the resulting scars.
Body Lift
Body lift surgery in Scottsdale with Dr. Victoria Aimé begins with evaluating where excess skin and tissue are located around your abdomen, waist, hips, and buttocks to determine the extent of skin removal and contouring needed.
Liposuction
Liposuction in Scottsdale with Dr. Victoria Aimé begins with evaluating where excess fat is located, your surrounding body proportions, skin quality, and goals to determine which areas should be treated together to improve overall contour.
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Stay connected and informed by following Dr. Aimé on social media. Her content focuses on real-world, practical education in plastic surgery—addressing common patient questions, breaking down new innovations and research, and offering honest insight into what to expect from both surgical and non-surgical procedures. You’ll also find highlights of patient journeys and results (with permission), helping demystify the process while keeping things educational, transparent, and engaging.
